Food Lion donates $500,000 to support families affected by government shutdown

October 10, 2013

In response to North Carolina’s announcement that it will temporarily suspend benefits under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children Program because of the federal government shutdown, Food Lion made a $500,000 donation to food banks across the state to support citizens who need food assistance to feed their families.

“Food Lion is pleased to take a leading role across the state in providing critical funding to North Carolina food banks that will begin to receive increased requests in the coming weeks,” Beth Newlands Campbell, president of Food Lion, said in a press release. “In North Carolina, one in four children face hunger each day, and parents are forced to make difficult decisions, like buying formula or paying rent, to provide their children with the nutrition they need. We’re hopeful that today’s donation helps families to make fewer of those tough choices, particularly during this time.”

The gift cards, which are in $5 increments, will be distributed to food banks in Asheville, Charlotte, Elizabeth City, Fayetteville, Raleigh and Winston-Salem that serve counties throughout the state.

“On behalf of the seven food banks in North Carolina, we are overwhelmed with the generosity of Food Lion’s donation,” said Kay Carter, executive director of Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina and board chair of the North Carolina Association of Feeding America Food Banks. “We are grateful for this donation, which comes at a critical time as we struggle to find ways to bridge the gap of hunger and continue putting food on the table for the families we serve.”

Food Lion works to end hunger and food insecurity in the communities it serves, the company stated in a press release.

Food Lion gift cards will arrive at the food banks over the next two days. Food banks will distribute them to partner agencies and constituents in the next several weeks, or purchase critical food needed for the food bank. The gift cards can be used in any Food Lion store. Gift cards cannot be redeemed for purchases of alcohol or cigarettes.